TW: Depression, anxiety, sexual assault, rape, PTSD, mental health.
It’s certainly true that our generation is making great strides in acknowledging how major societal issues, such as sexual assault and mental health struggles, must be discussed in an empowering manner; in a way that, rightfully, appreciates the embeddedness of such issues and leaves no room for shame. Recently, UN Women UK sent a shockwave through the UK when they revealed findings that 97% of women aged 18-24 in the UK have been sexually harassed, and the UK mental-charity health Mind has confirmed a mental-health epidemic in claiming that 1 in 4 people in England will experience a mental health problem every week. Such findings only confirm what we already know – that our generation is one who grapples with mental health concerns and a pervasive culture of sexual misconduct.
Whilst recent movements such as #MeToo have been successful in bringing to light the importance of speaking out and reporting assault, the intersectionality between mental health and sexual assault is still neglected. A sexual assault victim’s struggle does not end once she reports it to the police or files a complaint with Report and Support. The mental impacts of such a trauma are long-lasting and significant. They are not to be overlooked. According to RAINN, a startling 80% of sexual assault victims in the US developed a mental health disorder in the months following the event, with 55% suffering from more than one disorder. Not only are the females in our lives being subjected to degrading harassment, they are being left to live, often with little or no support, with the consequences. As a victim of sexual assault at university myself, I can attest to these statistics. As is common, my mental health deteriorated more so in the months following the assault than it did immediately after the event occurred. I didn’t know that 9 months later I’d still be grappling with my mind and how my assault altered it. And I am certainly not alone. These statistics are important and they must be heard, addressed and acted upon.
What mental health issues are most suffered by survivors of sexual assault and how can you help?
1) Feelings of shame or guilt
Feeling shame or guilt following sexual assault is extremely common. As sad, and importantly untrue, as it is, society has conditioned women to accept men’s sexual urges as natural. Consequently, it is imprinted in our brains from a young age that how we, as women, dress and act determines whether or not we were ‘asking for it’. Thus, when the worst happens and we do become victims, we are often left blaming ourselves for dressing in a certain way, being overly exuberant, or consuming alcohol. I myself particularly struggled with feelings of guilt due to the fact I had consumed a lot of alcohol before my assault. For months, this left me feeling as if I hadn’t properly protected myself from the threat of assault and had put myself in a position in which I was unable to stop my perpetrator in the same way I would have been able to if I was sober. But this is simply not true. Being assaulted is NOT a choice and it is NEVER the victim’s fault. You are allowed to wear what you want without it being an invitation for your body to be violated. You are allowed to enjoy yourself, act extroverted, and even flirt. None of this is a substitution for consent. And when it comes to incapacitation through alcohol, it is extremely important to remember that university policy dictates that engaging in sexual activity with someone incapacitated amounts to a lack of consent. As someone told me, as young women, we are entitled to enjoy our time at university and if a good time for you entails alcohol, then you should be free to drink without worrying about your safety in the same way that men can.
If you’re suffering with feelings of shame or guilt following an assault please reach out to someone. Speaking to a friend or family member can really help and if you’re struggling at university Welfare Services are there to help. But ultimately remember you have doing nothing wrong.
If you suspect that someone you know is suffering from shame or guilt following an assault do your best to talk to them in a kind and sensitive manner and remind them of the above. Furthermore, refrain from engaging in ‘gossip’ regarding the assault. To a victim, hearing their trauma discussed in a conversational manner can be extremely distressing. For me, my healing process was massively impeded by people I didn’t even know discussing the assault, accusing me of lying and blaming my alcohol consumption. None of these people knew the facts and none of them knew the effect that their words had on me. Engaging in discussion like this enables perpetrator’s and can have devastating effects on a victim’s mental health.
2) Social isolation
Following an assault, it is common for victims to socially withdraw. They may be suffering from panic attacks, have become fearful of socialising with the opposite gender or simply feel excluded as a result of feelings of shame.
If you notice a friend socially isolating themselves following an assault please reach out to them and let them know that you are there for them, no matter how long it takes. Do not get angry or upset if a friend who is going through recovery appears flaky or often cancels on you – their mental health may simply have gotten the better of them that day. Instead, try and accommodate to their needs – if sitting in bed and watching Netflix is all they feel up to then see if you can join them. Of course, if you’re concerned about their safety, report your concerns to someone who can help – Wellbeing Services or an RLT for example.
3) Anxiety/depression
A study by the journal Jama Internal Medicine produced empirical evidence that shows how victims of sexual assault are far more likely than the general population to develop anxiety or depression. Anxiety is much more than worrying or feeling stressed and depression is far more serious than feeling sad. Symptoms of anxiety and depression may present physically, in the form of: difficultly concentration, irritability, difficulty sleeping, racing heart, nausea and panic attacks, whilst depression can manifest as feelings of hopelessness, tearfulness and low self-esteem.
If you’re suffering from anxiety and/or depression following a sexual assault, or know a friend who may be, it is extremely important that you get help. A YSPP study showed that 33% of rape survivors admitted to contemplating suicide. This statistic is shocking in bringing to light the severe and ongoing impact of sexual assault on survivors’ mental health. Societal normalisation of male sexuality is not only robbing women of their autonomy but in some tragic cases, also their lives. If you’re struggling, reach out to a friend or family and seek professional help. At university, Welfare Services and Report and Support are there to help you in a non-invasive and non-judgemental manner. Alternatively, if you are concerned that a friend may be at risk of harm, it’s always better to be cautious and report your concerns.
It’s important to remember that this list of mental health issues following sexual assault is by no means exhaustive. Victims also commonly report suffering from disorders such as PTSD and insomnia in the months and years following their assault. Failing to discuss and support those suffering is not only dangerous but it also grants more power to abusers. It is time that we, as women, take a stand. We must do all that we can to prevent others from living in a world in which their bodies and minds’ are up for grabs. We must address the crisis of mental health in sexual assault victims and this starts with publicly acknowledging that there is no shame in post-assault mental health struggles and, most importantly, that how you’re feeling is never your fault.
---- Lottie James-Matthew, Social Media Officer
Sources
https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/97-of-women-in-the-uk/105940/
https://www.banyanmentalhealth.com/2019/10/02/psychological-effects-of-sexual-assault/
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/03/sexual-assault-victims-more-likely-to-have-anxiety-and-depression-study
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